Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Anton, Robert G. 1929-2024

Robert G. Anton   
March 6, 1929-Feb. 3, 2024  

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:51 am Monday, February 12, 2024  

Robert G. Anton, age 94 years of Niles, Michigan; father, grandfather, great-grandfather, local sports enthusiast, champion dog trainer, and barber died peacefully at 11:22 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, with his family gathered around his bedside at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on March 6, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois to Robert and Bessie (Klapp) Anton, but moved as a child with his family to Cassopolis, Michigan where he played football on a very successful high school team, and was graduated from Ross Beatty High School. He moved to Niles, and began his career as a barber at the O.K. Barber Shop in the lower level of the Masonic Building. A few years later, he established his own shop, Bob’s Barber Shop, on Third Street just behind Veni’s, with fellow barber William W. “Red” Kell manning the second chair. While “Bob’s” was 2 blocks from city hall, nearly everything that happened in Niles was discussed there and debated by everyone who had an office or store in downtown, and Bob enjoyed being a part of that. After more than fifty years of barbering, his retirement was front-page news in the Niles Daily Star.

Bob was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Niles Elks #1322 when it was just 3 doors down from his shop, and was a member of the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.M. and other associated Masonic organizations. He enjoyed fishing for blue gill at Big Fish Lake near Marcellus, Michigan, and hunting for several breeds of waterfowl, which developed an interest in Labrador Retriever dogs. He always had pet labs, and practiced field training his dogs, eventually entering and winning competitions at national level field training contests. He always supported area sports, coaching FOP baseball when his children were young, helping behind the scenes at both the FOP and Thomas Stadium, and attending every event of his children and grandchildren. He was a regular attender for decades at Niles High School football games, and was also a great fan of the University of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team, often cheering-on the “Muffeteers” — his term to honor their coach, Muffet Mcgraw.

On Sept. 30, 1950, at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend, Indiana he married the former Roxanne “Nancy” Ossmer with whom he celebrated the remarkable Sixty-eighth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on June 27, 2019. He was also sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Julia Anton Wiggins just a year ago on Feb. 22, 2023; by his parents Bob and Bessie Anton; and by Nancy’s siblings, Barbara Taylor, Sarah A. “Sally” Remus, David Ossmer, Daniel Ossmer William Ossmer, and Margaret “Maggie” Gillette.

Surviving family includes his son, Gerald R. (& Pam) Anton of Niles, son-in-law Reynold Connor Wiggins III of Half-Moon Bay, California; grandchildren Amy (& David) Lueders, Robert (& Mollie) Anton, and Patricia Anton (& fiancé, Ashley Gates); and great-grandchildren Grayson and Madelyn Lueders, and Amelia Anton.

The family of Bob Anton will receive relatives and friends on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Committal Services will be private, with Bob’s family gathering at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Niles Vikings Athletics Boosters, c/o Niles High School, 1441 Eagle Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120. Online condolences and memories may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com

Ninety-four years is a versy long life, and Bob used all of those years well, participating in athletics and other outdoor sports all of his life, being an active participant in the activities of his community, and training his Labs. All of these interests were focused on encouraging others, the student teams, the members of his community, and his barber shop patrons; but most important was his family, especially Nancy.  

Read more at: https://www.leaderpub.com/2024/02/12/bob-anton/

Buck, David R. 1952-2024

David Ronald Buck
April 8, 1952  -  February 10, 2024

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

David Ronald Buck Obituary

Rev. David Ronald Buck, 71, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana.

David was born on April 8, 1952 in Niles, Michigan to the late Robert R. Buck Sr. and Virginia A (De Pell) Buck.

Along with his parents, David was preceded in death by his brother, Michael A. (Sue) Buck.

Left to cherish the memory of David is his loving wife of 52 years, Michelle Anne (Kurtis) Buck and brother, Robert R. Buck Jr.

His honorable service in the Army during the Vietnam War spoke of his bravery and commitment to his nation. After his military career, his unwavering faith guided him into ministry in 1984, where he touched countless lives with his wisdom and kindness.

A loving and affectionate husband, David shared an adventurous and loving life journey with his wife, Michelle exploring the world side by side. Their travels enriched their bond and brought them countless cherished memories. A passionate member of the National Mustang Club, David's enthusiasm for the classic American car brought him great delight and fellowship.

David's legacy of love, service, and faith remains an inspiration to all who knew him. His passing leaves a void in our hearts, but his spirit continues to guide and uplift us. His was a life truly well-lived and his memory will be treasured forever.

Visitation for David will be on Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E Main St. Niles, MI 49120. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 10:30am to 11:00am with a Funeral Service to begin at 11:00am at Brown Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 E Main St. Niles, MI 49120.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Photos, condolences, and memories may be left for David’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

McBride, Margaret Jo 1927-2024

Margaret "Maggie" Jo McBride
August 20, 1927  -  January 22, 2024

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Margaret "Maggie" Jo McBride Obituary

Lifelong Niles, Michigan area resident, Margaret Jo “Maggie” McBride, age 96 died following a brief illness on January 22, 2024.

Maggie was born August 20, 1927, in Niles, to Ray and Alma McBride. She attended Niles High School, and except for two years in North Carolina, lived her life in the Niles area.

Maggie married Frank W. Jackson on November 25, 1948. They were married 40 years and had three children. She worked in several retail shops and was a telephone operator during the 1940s. Maggie's greatest joy was her family. She was proud of her children, grandkids, and her great grandkids. She loved spending time with them. She enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to visit all states within the continental US.

She is survived by her children, Linda (James) Mossman of Harvard, Illinois; Dan (Diane) Jackson of Bristow, Virginia; and Kelly (Debbie) Jackson of Buchanan, Michigan. Maggie’s grandchildren include Jeff (Lori) Mossman, Adam (Kyle) Jackson, Ally (Paige) Hanger, Ashlee Jackson, and Brandon Jackson. Great grandchildren include Jamie Mossman, Jordan Mossman, Blakely Jackson, Finnegan Hanger, Sullivan Hanger, Cameron Jackson, Piper Jackson, Murphy Hanger, and Savannah Jackson. Maggie is survived by her sister, Betty DePoy and was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Clark.

The funeral service for Maggie McBride will be February 5, 2024, at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Niles at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to: St Jude’s Hospital, Joyce Meyer Ministries, and Hospice of Mishawaka.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Miller, Richard W. 1939-2024

Richard W. Miller
April 25, 1939 — January 28, 2024

Published on website for Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home:

OBITUARY

Richard W. Miller, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, printer, fisherman, hunter died peacefully at 6:55 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024 with his family gathered around his bed at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on April 25, 1939 in Niles to Frank and Clara (Anderson) Miller, and attended Niles Community Schools.  He was first employed by the New York Central Railroad in its Elkhart freight yards, repairing railroad car wheelsets.  He then was employed in the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company as a printing press operator, retiring in 2001 after 32 years of service.  He has always lived in Niles.

Dick enjoyed fishing, taking many annual fishing trips to Ely, Minnesota, and more recently taking fishing trips up-north in Michigan.  He hunted locally for deer, small game, and morel mushrooms, and had a 1949 Ford Coupe in the garage awaiting new upholstery.  He enjoyed being outdoors, tending to his lawn and garden, but his greatest joy was his family.

On November 25, 1960 in Buchanan, Michigan he married the former Dorothy B. Barlett with whom he celebrated two months ago the remarkable Sixty-third Anniversary of their wedding.   He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his six siblings, Evelyn Almon, Mary Bachman, Helen McKibbin, Francis “Hinny” Miller, Paul Miller, and Frank “Pete” Miller.

Surviving family includes his wife, Dorothy Miller of Niles and their children, Nancy (& Ken) Metz of South Bend, and Michael (& Susan) Miller of Niles; grandchildren Codey Miller, Brandon Metz, Scot (& Carly Barton) Miller, Jordan (& Tara) Metz, Cameron (& Brianna Guennel) Metz, and Daniel Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Richard Miller will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Louis Staubs of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the funeral home beginning at Noon.  Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Eighty-four years is a long life, and Dick used those years well, as a productive member of his community at two employers, and enjoying creation while outdoors fishing, hunting, and yardwork; but more important were the people in his life, especially his family, and the grandkids, and loving Dorothy.

Williams, Ernest 1910-1910

Ernest Williams
May 11, 1910-May 15, 1910

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co, Mich.), Monday, May 16, 1910, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The four days old son of Mr. and Mrs Harry Williams residing on the Edwardsburg road, died Sunday. The funeral will be held tomorrow, Rev. Chas. Ager officiating. Interment will occur at Silverbrook cemetery.

Cousins, Sarah Redmond 1858-1928

Sarah Redmond Cousins
1858-March 9, 1928

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, March 10, 1928, page 1, col. 8, continued page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

AUNT SARAH COUSINS KILLED AND HUSBAND HURT IN AUTO CRASH
Aged Colored Couple Run Down While Crossing N. Fifth Street
ON MISSION OF MERCY
Civil War Veteran and Wife Were on Way to Call on Sick Friend

Aunt Sarah Cousins, 71, widely known and respected colored woman residing at 115 Howard street, met a tragic death and her husband, Ben Cousins, 83, Civil war veteran , was critically and probably fatally injured while they were crossing North Fifth street at Poplar avenue about 7 o'clock last night when they were run down by an automobile driven by C.W. Coats of Sister Lakes, VanBuren county.

The aged couples started to walk to the home of friends near Pokagon when the accident occurred at a spot just south of the north limits of the city.

Coats was exonerated of all blame by a coroner's jury at an inquest held this morning by Justice Hardy Langston under direction of coroner George Slaughter, of Benton Harbor, and Sheriff Fred Bryant, both of whom came here to investigate the mishap.

The tragedy occurred, according to witnesses, when three automobiles were moving in the vicinity of the intersection and practically abreast at the same time. Two of the cars, the one driven by Coats and another passing around him in the same direction, were proceeding south, The third car was moving north.

Witnesses testified the aged couple had left the west side of Fifth street, successfully avoiding the car passing north and the one speeding around the Coats car and then stepping directly into the path of Coats' machine [which] stopped within 10 feet after the couple was run down. He said he was traveling about 18 or 20 miles an hour.

Coats testified he did not see the couple until at the moment of striking them. He felt slightly the impact but for a moment thought that his car had been brushed by the car which had speed around his machine. When he stopped the woman was lying the right side of his car beside the front fender, and the aged colored war veteran lay on the pavement a few feet away.

Police immediately were notified and the injured man and dying woman rushed in a Rutherford ambulance to the Pawating hospital where the woman died shortly after arrival. Mrs. Cousins suffered a fracture of the right leg, fracture of the right arm and internal injuries.

Besides Coats, John Hathaway, a (continued from page 1) colored youth, was the only eye witness to the tragedy. He said he saw the couple start from the west curb and peered to the south to avoid traffic from that direction, but that they paid no attention to danger from the north. He saw the lights from the car which passed around Coast play upon them and thought for a moment they had safely passed to the other side. He was standing on the south side of the Gafil oil station on Fifth street a short distance away from the scene

Other witnesses who testified at inquest were Joseph Flint, colored, who passed immediately after the accident, G.M. Graham, white youth who told of seeing three cars approach the intersection; Deputy Sheriff Chester Overcash and Night patrol man, William Darling, both of whom answered the police call.

Coats was represented at the inquest by Attorney Phil Hadsell. The coroner's jury was composed of the following: Harvy Mansfield, foreman, Gerald Kernn, Charles Burridge, Fred Harris, Arthur Knott and Forest Granger. The hearing was held in the council chamber.

Mrs. Sarah Redmond Cousins was born in West Virginia. She came to Niles from West Virginia about 25 years ago. She was married to Mr. Cousins in 1914. Besides her husband, she is survived by seven children by a former marriage. They are Mrs. Molly Mayle, St. Louis, Mich; Mrs. Retta Ely, Detroit; Mrs. Ada Finley, Ada, Wis.; Mrs. John Cook, who resides on the north Beebe farm, Niles; Nathan Pritchard, Kalamazoo; Warner Pritchard, Flint; William Pritchard, Mishawaka.

Mr. Cousins is a veteran of the Civil War. His only son, Benjamin Cousins, Jr. was killed during the Spanish-American war at the battle of San Juan hill. He body was brought back for burial.

Mr. and Mrs. Cousins occupied a unique place in colored circles in the city where both have been highly respected. They were honest in the dealings and were kind to those in distress. Last evening they were on their way to visit a sick friend when the accident occurred. By a co-incidence her daughter, Mrs. Cook, went to call at the same home last evening and was met at the door with the news of the accident. She rushed to the hospital but her mother was not conscious and died without recognizing her. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cousins have long been members of the Second Baptist church, attended it meetings faithfully, and their home has long been a meeting place for social and business meetings of the congregation of that church.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, March 12, 1928, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

WITHHOLDING NEWS OF DEATH OF HIS WIFE FROM AGED VETERAN UNTIL TODAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Cousins, 115 Howard street, fatally injured on Friday evening when she was struck by an automobile, were held this afternoon at the Second Baptist church, of which Mrs. Cousins had long been a member and faithful worker. Rev. Allen, pastor of the Second Baptist church, in Dowagiac, conducted the services. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery. A large number of friends and relatives from Niles and other cities attended the services.

The condition of Ben Cousins, the aged husband who is in Pawating hospital, and who was injured in the same accident, is considered very serious today. He was not advised of the death of his wife. He had asked about her frequently during his conscious moments, but it was thought best to keep the fact of her death from him until today.

 

 

Curtis, Anna P. Cousins 1871-1914

Anna P. Curtis
April 25, 1871-June 3, 1914

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, June 3, 1914, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ANNA P. CURTIS PASSED AWAY TODAY

Mrs. Anna P. Curtis, wife of E.L. Curtis of 704 Cass street, passed away this morning at 5 o'clock at age of 43 years.

She was a member of the Eastern Star lodge of Benton Harbor, Mich. She leaves behind a mother, father and husband, also a host of friends.

Deceased was a willing and energetic lady, especially in church and Sunday school work.

The funeral services will be held from the Second Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Mead and Rev. Allen will officiate.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, June 3, 1914, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. E.L. Curtis will take place at the Second Baptist church, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Revs. Allen and Means, both of South Bend, will officiate. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, June 6, 1914, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of Mrs. Anna Curtis will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Second Baptist church. Revs. Allen and Meads will officiate.